Pakistani weightlifter Talha Talib on Sunday failed to win a bronze medal in the 67-kilogram competitions in the Tokyo Olympics by just two kilograms.
Talha pulled off his career-best in both snatch, and clean and jerk to finish overall fifth in an absorbing competition.
He lifted 150kgs in snatch and 170kgs in clean and jerk and finished with a total of 320kgs. He was two kilograms behind the bronze medallist, Zaani Mirko of Italy who finished with a total of 322kg.
Talha’s previous best snatch was 148kg and his best clean and jerk was 167kgs which he registered in the Asian Championship in Tashkent early this year.
Talha’s snatch of 150 turned out to be the second best in the competition in 67-kg category while he remained seventh in clean and jerk, the area in which he has been weak.
Talha was featured in the event at the IOC Invitation Place.
China’s Chen Lijun won the gold with an amazing total of 332kg which is also an Olympic record. He lifted 145kgs in snatch after a couple of missed lifts before going for a record 187kgs in clean and jerk.
Mosquera Lozano of Columbia won silver with a total of 331kg — 151 in snatch and 180 in clean and jerk.
Italy’s Zanni Mirko got bronze with a total of 322 — 145 in snatch and 177 in clean and jerk.
Later, talking to media, Talha thanked Allah for his improved performance. Glad to have improved my record, he added.
Talha thanked the nation and the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation for supporting him.
He said there was a difference in weights in Olympics.
